Spread the giving spirit beyond the holidays

In the classic Sesame Street movie. "Elmo Saves Christmas" the cute, furry, red monster used a wish to make every day Christmas.

It is a noble wish from the 3-year-old monster who wanted to continue experiencing the joy of getting presents and all the fun Christmas Day brings.

But Elmo soon learned that Christmas every day became a chore. Carolers lost their voices. Stores ran out of gifts. A tired and a bit of a grumpy Santa gave Elmo a lecture about what a bad idea having Christmas every day was.

While it is true that we cannot capture the magic of Christmas Day and spread it through the other 364 days, we should strive to take part of spirit of the day and spread it more throughout the year.

The newspaper pages were filled with churches and organizations doing good works and helping the needy and poor during the Christmas season. That is great and is to be commended. But we also need to remember that the needs of the poor go well beyond the gifts they need for their family at Christmas or a good meal on the holiday. Many organizations continue to help the poor throughout the gloomy, cold winter days.

The WARM program among area churches in Waynesboro and the Valley Mission in Staunton provide food and shelter to the homeless.

The Staunton and Waynesboro Salvation Armies provide every-day needs such as help with utility bills and food.

These organizations are top of mind during the holiday season as the tinkling bells outside stores remind of those less fortunate and the need to make their Christmas brighter.

It is much harder to consider those same souls when the tinkling bells are put away until the next holiday season but the needs remain.

As we enter the New Year, may one of your resolutions be to consider the less fortunate throughout the year and consider ways to help on a monthly basis.

It's not always money that is needed.

The Valley Mission sent out word the other day that they were running short on toilet paper.

The community responded and helped the situation for now but that is an example of an ongoing need that can be contributed to throughout the year.

Christmas gives us a great reason to give to others and feel good about it. That's the part of Christmas that Elmo should have wished to have every day.

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Spread the giving spirit beyond the holidays

In the classic Sesame Street movie. 'Elmo Saves Christmas' the cute, furry, red monster used a wish to make every day Christmas.